1 April 2008

Ministers Welcome WTO Report Reaffirming that EU Beef Hormone Ban is Unjustified

The following news release was issued by FAITC on 31 March 2008.

The Honourable David Emerson, Minister of International Trade, and the Honourable Gerry Ritz, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, today welcomed a World Trade Organization (WTO) panel report confirming that the European Union’s ban on imports of Canadian beef from cattle treated with growth hormones is inconsistent with the EU’s WTO obligations.

“The WTO has once again sided with Canada by confirming that the ban is inconsistent with the EU’s international trade obligations,” said Minister Emerson. “Canada continues to rely on the WTO rules-based system to defend its trade interests. We hope that the EU will lift its ban.”

Both Canada and the United States have consistently opposed the European Union’s ban on the importation of beef from hormone-treated cattle since it was imposed in 1989. Both countries maintain that the EU has not been able to prove there are scientific reasons for a ban. Today’s WTO ruling provides a clear indication that the dispute settlement panel agreed with Canada and the United States on this matter. …

Under the applicable WTO rules, the panel report must be adopted by the WTO Dispute Settlement Body within 60 days from the date of circulation, unless either party appeals the report. Any appeal would be heard by the WTO Appellate Body.

The Government of Canada is carefully considering its next steps in consultation with stakeholders….